Hi everyone, I just joined this platform in hope to get advice from people already residing in France.
In short, I am planning a move to France (South of France) next year, August. My children will be 11 and 9 and speak no French. I, myself, am fluent but the rest of the family speak almost no French. We are looking to move near the coast, either around Montpellier, Nice or Toulon. I am happy to live on the outskirts or smaller town, as long as there are schools and amenities near by. What I am looking for is recommendations of places which are near the sea (possibly sea towns/villages), with warm, friendly people around and not terribly expensive!
The plan is to rent a property for the duration of the school year and see how we like it, befor we decide to stay.
Any suggestions will be GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Thank you!!!
Bonjour, Ivy. I also just joined and my situation is eeriely similar to yours. I am figuring out as I go, so dont think I am some kind of expert. Because I am not in France yet, I chose to use a firm called Renestance for both rental search and immigration support. While Montpellier was never a dream destination for me, I decided for is to be my âfoot in the doorâ â as Renestance have people there, the city is international so schools/services are used to clueless newcomers like us. Plus I hear the public transportation is fantastic, so no need for a car. I decided against the international school for two reasons: cost, and it defeats the purpose of rapid assimilation (which may or may not be your objective). After trying several religious sous contact schools I quickly realized one need to start applying for them in the fall of the previous year to get in! I started in late December and most responded that they are already full for 2025 (or so they said). My next move is to get into International Section at their public schools. I applied in February and the interview is this week over Zoom. The apartment search had been sluggish â the response rate is actually better than I expected but most want to see a local employment contract, which I do not have. Check out Marseillain and Pezenas â or ther smaller towns around Montpellier, even Beziers. If you choose Nice, check out Adrian Leeds agency. I did not use them as I feel I am not their demographic --plus they never responded to my inquiry via their website, but I heard numerous good references on the FB about their assistance. Oh and do start learning French ASAP, but you shoudl knwo this already. Happy to elaborate if you have questions.
EDIT: I meant get kids to learn French ASAP, since you are fluent already.
EDIT 2 based on feedback from some community members: I am not making any recommendations of commercial providers here. Merely naming them so the OP knows there are companies that provide these services in the areas she asked about.
Wondering if any link between these 2 very new posters who have askef snd amswered very close together both being new from a zero start. The style is American but it looks like jumping very quickly to commercial recommendations. Anonymous enough to be pasted on multiple platforms. Maybe Iâm overreacting.
KarenLot --bonjour. I write in American style - yes. I am new here- yes. I was first to respond to the asked question-- yes. Do I know Ivy? No. Did I actually make any commercial recommendation? No. Please, let me know what else can I offer to aleviate my instantly marred reputation in this community.
Tice-Tice, thank you so much for sharing your experience. I also joined today, as its quite frankly very hard to find a forum where I can get to talk to people already out in France. I am not on Facebook and most recommendations take me in that direction. I am particularly interested in people with young families, so again, thank you for reaching out. I was hoping this is a friendly site where one can get some advice, so, no intention to cause suspicion or paranoia. Hope to hear from anyone else that may have some ideas.
Thanks again 
Please do remember Karen what we have recently been talking about here about welcoming new members.
For clarity, I am not in France yet â arriving August 8. I have to agree that FB is my major resource for a variety of topics --especially theme-specific topic like legal, taxes, applying for drivers license, many local expat communities for specific towns, or country-origination communities. I do not use FB for social purpose at all --strictly for information. Of course, one has to validate everything you read there (and here, ahem). I have been studying and planning my move for yearsâŠand I still learn something new every day from the good old grapevine.
I feel like I just got a bear hugâŠ
I live in London, lived in Paris many years ago, but have been attracted to living in South of France for years. My middle girl will finish primary school next summer, so it seems like an ideal moment to give this âdreamâ a try. I have only ever visited Cote Dâazur as a toursit but need to find a place where schools are decent (no private or international schools) and people relatively friendly 
Precisely my logic about the timing for my âgreat French dream samplingâ . My kids are 8.5 and 10. I figured if I miss this time it would be detrimental for them if I start doing experimentation like that when they are entering high school years, with the profession selection pressures, social bonds, hormons, etc. I figured if the life in France turns not for me, the years in France will be a no-regret â still an enormous benefit for the kids developmentally (culturally, linguistically and academically). I myself became an immigrant in early 20s, so I just want this experience for them.
welcome to SF
its always good to hear new voices.
Have you thought about the area around Narbonne ?
we are 20 mins away from there.
the locals are so friendly, in the main.
the climate is great, so are the schools.
family is king, hence the slow pace of life here.
best of luck.
There are many good places on the Med coast between Narbonne and Nice ⊠quite a big coastline. The only issue is that ânear the coastâ and âinexpensiveâ donât really go hand in hand. Property close to the coast tends to have a large premium. In saying that, in some places going 10 km or so inland can change things a lot.
AgrĂ©e Ron but you should really mention that nasty wind. Itâs always blowing a flipping gale there !!
A little over stated 
. Itâs mainly in spring that you can get the relentless Tramontane wind. Weâve had quite a bit recently although itâs quiet at the moment. Weâre certain to get more before the summer comes.
Welcome to the site @Ivy & @Tice-Tice 
I used to live on the Cote dâAzur but it was 25 years ago now so what Iâm about to say may be horribly out of date.
I knew Nice well as I worked in Sophia Antipolis. Accommodation, however, was horribly expensive even back then. Very few people I worked with lived in Nice itself, for this reason.
The âarriĂšre paysâ (basically going north, i.e. inland) was cheaper but itâs more rural with less amenities⊠not necessarily a bad thing but perhaps not what your kids would benefit the most from / be happy about.
Instead, most people lived towards Cannes or Antibes, although those two are still not cheap. Back then, Vallauris and Le Cannet were more affordable but still within easy reach of the beach.
I lived closer to Grasse, which was cheaper but further inland. The nearest beach was probably about a 15 minute drive away. Colleagues who lived near me could afford a villa whereas those in the other towns often lived in apartments.
Moving further away from Nice but places like Fréjus in the Var were less eye-wateringly expensive iirc.
One other thing that springs to mind⊠The small town of Valbonne used to be very popular with expats, and there used to be an international school there⊠Something to perhaps consider if your kids donât speak French yet.
Welcome Ivy and Tce Tce
@Ivy âŠI donât live in Montpellier, but itâs my nearest big City and we love it to bits.
Close enough to the sea, free public transport for residents, and a young vibe it being a University City. Car free city centre and I understand great schools.
Your kids (young adults) will pick up French easily at their ages.
Good luck with the hunt and you will find for sure
Agree with that. I am in the Perpignan area just before the spanish border and although its been hot this week, the tramontine has been forecast again and can get extremely rough that you need your beanie hat to keep your hair from your face. There are lots of good schools out this way too and lots of bad ones but that is the story in most places now. Welcome to the newbies, hope they find what they are looking for as have been there and done that albeit over 30years ago now with small children.
Hi Rob,
Yes I am looking around Narbonne too, I havenât been on that side yet but deffo planning too. It seems more affordable and looks beautiful.
Thank you!
Thanks Gareth,
Im getting the impression that Nice is relatively expensive, also a large city. We want to downsize, ideally a small town so I will have a look at all places mentioned.
Many thanks
Thanks Mikey,
Montpellier (and surrounding areas) looks like the most likely choice. I will have to come out and visit as Iâve only heard positive things.
Appreciate your advice, thanks again